Ruger Redhawk

[polo.45]

I don't have a redhawk but I have a gp100 SS 4" .357/38 special and it's awesome revolver ...

[bruss01]

I've got one in .44 and rather than blow a bunch of smoke up your butt I'll give you a real review that I am sure will get some comments from the too macho for the room crowd here. It is nothing more than a novelty at best. Kicks like a mule and if you aren't resting the barrel on sand bags it's all over the place.

When I entertain people at the range everybody always wants to shoot it, but they usually hand it back after 3-6 shots. I personally usually only shoot about 12 shots out of it before I am just done with it.

It's very clunky, as most Rugers are, especially in comparison to a Colt or S&W wheel gun. On the positive side it looks the biz and when bench shooting you can reach out to 100yds with only about 8-10" of drop which is pretty damn good for the size of bullet you are sending downrange.

I've learned from my range experiences mentioned above that to keep new shooters interested in the sport to not let them shoot the .44 first as it tends to make first time shooters shy away, but if I let them shoot a super smooth and accurate model like the King Cobra 6" 357 then they really get into the whole event and take a much more avid interest.

This revolver is a peach with .44 Special rounds. That is what I typically keep it loaded with at home. It's only in the back country that I load it up with magnums for the bears and big cats.

I suppose I should qualify my perceptions of this revolver with some physical stats. I'm six feet tall and solidly built with large hands and "working man's fingers". I don't need to shoot a steady diet of magnums but they don't really bother me much. Yes, I would absolutely hand this gun to a novice shooter provided it was loaded with .44 special rounds. The heft of the gun soaks up so much recoil it's hardly different than shooting a .45 acp. I am also using the hybrid rubber+wood grips that came from the factory on this gun, and they do absorb some of the initial recoil impulse while allowing for a no-slip grip on the gun. I have qualified on the timed CCW range test to carry this gun on my permit, that's how easy it is to manage.

Someone with small or dainty "artists hands" would probably not enjoy shooting this gun nearly as much as I do, nor would they likely shoot it very well. There's no such thing as a gun for everybody, that's OK.

[knucklehead0202]

the redhawk is a great revolver. comparison to the 29 or 629 smith is hard to do. the smith is a very nice revolver, VERY nice. however, they don't hold up as well as the redhawks do. The redhawk may not be as fancy or refined, but will take any abuse you could possibly throw at it, and then do the same for the next 8 owners after you die, lol. BTW, currently my only revolver is a 686 Smith. I'll be looking for a .44 again soon but I can't have the one I want in Kalifornia, surprise, so who knows what i'll end up with. Likely as not, it'll be a Ruger Redhawk because it's a known quantity.

[Deimos887]

My dad had a Super Redhawk in .454 for 11-12 years... finally sold it a couple years ago. Didnt shoot it much, and when he did... primarily shot .45 Colt thru it. First time I shot that revolver I was probably 14... full power handloaded .454, I was done after 4 rounds. Last time I shot it was about 3 years... older and much more experienced, I'd still say .44mag is about my "enjoyment threshold". As for the revolver itself, great gun, well worth it

[Cmpaycheck]

The perfect .44 magnum handgun. Handles grizzly and hammerhead rounds beautifully.

[JTROKS]

If you ever get a Redhawk, do not sell it.
I had 44magnum SRH and RH. It's the RHs I miss the most, but I figured my 7.5" SRH 454 will cover it.

[Socalman]

I don't have a redhawk but I have a gp100 SS 4" .357/38 special and it's awesome revolver ...

Amen, bro!

[4DMASTR]

I don't have a redhawk but I have a gp100 SS 4" .357/38 special and it's awesome revolver ...

Good to hear, I break the same one out of jail next Saturday. Stoked!

[raven290]

My father has a Super Redhawk and I have an older Vaquero with the Blackhawk frame. They are both excellently made weapons. The SR is a tack driver. I haven't quite figured out the grip required to shoot the Vaquero accurately yet.

[Reelemup]

I have a Ruger 44 mag Bisley/ Vaquero ....357 speed six...22lr/22mag six shot. They all well made guns.

[Baja_Traveler]

One of the first sold in San Diego - picked it up in 1980, then some years later machined a new barrel for it for silhouette, skeletonized the hammer, scoped it and put Wolf springs in it. (sure wish I had access to that machine shop again).
Yes, it is big, and heavy, and with full house loads kicks a bit - but no where near as much as my Contender in 30 Herrett...

[MrExel17]

DON'T have 1 BUT do WANT!

[deac777]

Redhawks are nice guns and very accurate. I shoot mostly 44spl rounds out of mine. I've got a blued model with 7 1/2 inch barrel.